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Post subject: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:35 am
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Hey Ya'll,
While I've been around Fender.com for a while, I think this is my first post in the Contemporary Amp forum.

Alrighty, this last week I picked up a used Fender Princeton 112 Plus and I'd like to see if I can get a little more info on it. I've done a little bit of digging around on the internet as well as here at Fender but I'm not coming up with a lot (other than a few mix reviews on Harmony Central). I did find a "user's manual" but it's more about various settings for various tones...doesn't really say much about the amp itself. From what I've read so far, this appears to be a 65 watt amp (yes/no?) and according to the "Quality Assurance" sticker on the back, I think it's a '95 (the info on the sticker is hand written and a bit hard to read...looks like a name followed by FD FV). I picked this one up for $65...cosmetically...well...let's just say she's been "well used", LOL!!! Not horrid or anything but the tolex is ripped in a couple of spots and you can tell this has been a "working amp". Functionally, she seems to be A-OK...I haven't tested it extensively yet but so far everything seems to work and she sounds pretty decent for what she is.

It does say Made in Corona, so I'm assuming this is the US version and not the Mexican version (not that I have anything against MIM...just curious)? Also on the back it says "Type: PR 290"...is this just indicative that it's a "Princeton 112 Plus" or are there various models of this...err...model?

For the $65 I payed, this seems to be a good deal...I looked around on Ebay and Craigslist and they look like they're going for between $125 and $200 (although granted, again mine is definitely a bit worn cosmetically).

So, other than verification of the information above, I guess my single biggest question is; anyone have any comments on how reliable these amps are? Again being "used" and clearly being a working amp, I really have no idea if this thing has ever been in to a shop or not...are these Princeton's fairly reliable or is this something I can expect to have problems with?

Also, I would welcome any general comments on these amps however...if you're just going to sit there and type something like "solid state amps suck", please save your time and mine and don't waste the bandwidth. I -know- this isn't a Blues Junior or anything...if I were really -that- concerned with "vintage tube tone", I'd be using my '73 Bandmaster. I got this amp as something that's basically easy to haul around to jam sessions and such (and maybe use for my acoustic). It seems to be a decent little 1x12 combo amp...it's got better sound than my little Peavey Backstage Plus (probably because I like 12" speakers better than 10") and it's got a bit more power. I'm just looking for some general comments as far as for the money (again $65) if this is going to be a fairly decent little amp or not.

As always, I'm grateful for everyone's thoughts and comments here. Thank you!

Peace,
Jim


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Post subject: Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:09 am
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I'm just starting to play again after 30 yrs I just bought A 112 plus I'm like you I'm trying to find out about the amp. I wish some one would tell us why it was discontenued.I like the amp. the power is good and the effects are fair but I am starting over after 30 yrs I paid 200.00 for mine I would like to hear comments about it.So maybe someone would let us know something about it.


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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:13 am
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Here's the description from the 1999 Fender Frontline catalog...

Princeton 112 Plus

The Princeton 112 Plus is a mid-sized amp with great sound.

Specs: 65 watts RMS, 12" speaker

Features: Dual selectable channels with independent tone controls, reverb, effects loop, footswitch and headphone jack.

Weight: 28 lbs.

Size: 16.5" high x 18.75" wide x 9" deep.

This amp was replaced in 2000 (or 2001... I have the 2001 catalog but not the 2000 catalog) with the Princeton 65 amp. The Princeton 65 is similar to the 112 Plus, but has one or two different features and is part of what Fender called the "Dyna-Touch" series. "Dyna-Touch Interactive Circuitry responds to every inflection in your playing, and puts you in control of your tone".

I knew that these old Fender catalogs would eventually come in handy!


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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:48 am
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First let me say a big thank you to Think Floyd for posting the catalog info. Nothing I didn't already know just from playing around with the amp but still good information.

As far as the amp itself goes...since no one else has really stepped up to the plate here, for anyone else who may read this I'll just toss my $.02 worth in on these amps after having played with mine for a couple of weeks now.

Honestly, like most Fenders (tube or ss), this thing has a really great clean sound. My only real nit about it is that most of the power seems to come by the time you hit "4" on the volume knob. It's not really an issue by any means but a more even increase in power would have been more desirable to me.

While I could be wrong, the simple "treble and bass" controls seem to be active compared with a passive eq. In other words, when you start to turn up the bass for example...wow...it really blows you out of your socks! LOL!!! It could just be the same issue as with the volume knob...all of the "power" is at the low end, but it took some tweaking to get it right. For a good clean sound though, this amp is -very- usable to say the least.

The gain channel though...or more specifically the distortion...well...I guess it is what it is. For practicing in the living room or the studio, it's decent enough but I don't see myself using it to record anything. Now before anyone says "well, it's just solid state" please know that I do have other ss amps that can crunch rather nicely...this Princeton simply doesn't. On the other hand, that's what pedals are for...ran thru my old Ross distortion, she's actually got a rather vintagy sound :-)

The reverb is fair enough as well but it's not quite as "deep" as other spring reverb amps I own...my little Peavey Backstage Plus for example has much nicer reverb. My guess would simply be the reverb tank on this Princeton looks rather small comparatively speaking...I'm not sure how much "size really matters" here but my other amps do all have rather beefy reverb tanks. At some point I may try swapping tanks and see if and how that effects things. That said, the reverb isn't "bad" by any means...I've just heard better.

I also have to say that for something that's supposedly rated at 65 watts, this thing isn't really as loud as one might expect. Again, it's "ok" but as I really started to push it, I was rather inclined to ask, "Where's the beef?", LOL!!! More than good enough for practice but I think in order to use this thing with a full band, it's really going to need a pre-amp of some kind to boost the signal a bit (at least if I want to get those clean sounds up loud enough to be heard over the drummer).

I haven't really played with the effects loop or anything...I don't normally use that anyways so I can't really make any comments in regards to quality there other than it's nice to know it's there.

We'll have to see just how well she holds up over the course of time but over-all for the price I payed (again $65), I think this is going to be a really great amp. Could be louder but pretty decent workable sound, easy to haul around, etc.. Would I have payed $200 for one of these in better condition? No...probably not. However compared with other amps...both new and used in this price range, I think this one is going to be a keeper. Definitely beats the crap out of something like a "Raven" or any of the new Peaveys.

Peace,
Jim


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:00 pm
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Sorry I couldn't offer any opinions, but I've never played one.


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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 4:20 pm
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hey guys cheers for posting this info- i just bought one for $50 and it's fab!!! very true about the distortion though- but it's way better than paying way more for a Behringer GTXrubbish.

i only have one prob with my 112- i cant find where the reverb cables plug in (at least i assume thats what the RCA plugs hanging from the back are for???)

anyways i plugged in my Boss ds1 and a wah pedal and this amp really roars- fantastic for what i payed!!!


keep it unreal 8)


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:23 pm
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Okay, I know I'm responding WAY late on this post, but having a very nice example of this amp in my livingroom right now, I felt the urge to weigh in. I have to say that I really, REALLY love the clean channel on the Princeton 112 Plus and I love the reverb too! I find this amp warm and articulate at livingroom volume (I have a family!) and I certainly don't play out or gig.

I do own tube amps, I have bought and sold and modified them and I love the tube sound. However, the clean channel on the 112 Plus can push my buttons just as well as any tube amp AND I only paid $100 for a MINT example! Having said all that, the drive channel is not impressive at all and I'm not inspired by it, not do I use it... but for clean tone with reverb, this amp can sing beautifully! No kidding!! I love mine - it's a keeper!


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:13 pm
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i have one of these myself. i paid $125 i believe it was. the only difference between mine and a brand new one in a box is that mine has dust on it.
nothing wrong with these amps at all. i like them. i suggest them to any one looking for
fender SS bang for the buck. i dont use mine a whole lot ok but i bought it for a amp on the go. my only complaint is that its a little to bright for my tastes.
no its not that fender tube tone we all love but for a SS amp its pretty darn nice imho.

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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:22 am
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I agree that for clean Fender sound for little money, this amp is tough to beat. I played mine back to back with an older Harvard Reverb II (SS), which is considered by some a better amp, but the Princeton 112 Plus sounded better to my ear - perhaps due to the larger speaker... Again, only talking about the clean channel here. Anyway, I dig it and I've been playing it a lot lately. This amp really gave me an open mind about SS amps. Now I let my ears tell me what sounds good, not just "tube-lust" of which I am prone to... :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:40 am
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you should try some of the 80's made peavey SS amps too

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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:58 pm
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way cool jr wrote:
you should try some of the 80's made peavey SS amps too

I had a Backstage Plus that was a late 80s model I believe, but got rid of it years ago. I wasn't crazy about the gain on that amp either but from what I remember, it had a very nice reverb and good clean sound. It was also built like a tank! Is that one of the models you are referring to? Any other suggestions?


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:15 pm
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close. i like the regular backstage and the bandits myself.
but you did good on what you have. maybe we should start a princeton 112 plus army. :)

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"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:56 pm
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Another good sounding solid state amp during the 1999-2000 era was the Hughes and Kettner Triplex. It has one of the best overdrive sounds of any solid state amp, and some great clean tones with a full range from higs to lows.
Europe made Celeston, and 65 watts.

They are rare and hard to find, they sold for about $550 back in the day and you might be able to find one for under $150.


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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:00 am
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solid.

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Post subject: Re: Used Princeton 112 Plus
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:55 pm
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I have had this amp for over 10 years. It was first guitar amp that I got. Have had many hours into it and have not run into any issues. I think it is a very solid amp. I have 2 other amps that I play through, no gigging or anything. A 59 bassman RI and a Blues Jr. I do prefer the tube sound but every now and then, I break out the 112 plus and still enjoyable!

Love the clean section. The distortion...leaves a lot to be desired but hey, pedals help out quite a bit here. But that section is good enough for some quick experimentation for sound.

After all these years, I think I maybe in need of a new reverb tank. It's gotten very weak and can barely hear the reverb. I don't ever remember it being that weak before. Can anyone offer any advice to this issue? The RCA's are where they are supposed to be. May even consider changing out the speaker to warm the sound up a bit more after I solve the reverb issue.


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